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Entry Level Water Resource Engineer Jobs in Oregon

Mead & Hunt, Inc.

Stormwater Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$66K - $77K/yr

Assisting with the design of stormwater management facilities and other water resources (drinking water and/or sewer systems) projects * Collaborating with project managers and senior engineers

Mead & Hunt

Stormwater Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$66K - $77K/yr

Assisting with the design of stormwater management facilities and other water resources (drinking water and/or sewer systems) projects * Collaborating with project managers and senior engineers

West Yost

CAD Designer I/II

Lake Oswego, OR

$60K - $99K/yr

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities ...

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All JobsWater Resource Engineer JobsEntry Level Water Resource Engineer JobsEntry Level Water Resource Engineer Jobs in Oregon

Entry Level Water Resource Engineer information

See Oregon salary details

$30.7K

$99.3K

$141.1K

How much do entry level water resource engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level water resource engineer in Oregon is $99,272.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $114,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level water resource engineer do?

An entry level water resource engineer assists with the planning, design, and management of projects related to water resources, such as flood control, stormwater management, and water supply systems. Their tasks often include data collection, analysis, computer modeling, and preparing technical reports under the supervision of senior engineers. They may also support permitting processes and coordinate with clients and regulatory agencies. This role is ideal for recent graduates in civil or environmental engineering who are interested in sustainable water solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level water resource engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Water Resource Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in civil or environmental engineering and a solid understanding of hydrology, hydraulics, and environmental regulations. Familiarity with technical tools such as AutoCAD, GIS software, and hydraulic modeling programs (e.g., HEC-RAS) is typically required, along with an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification being advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you stand out in this role. These competencies ensure accurate project design, regulatory compliance, and collaborative problem-solving in water resource management projects.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level water resource engineers during their first year on the job?

Entry level water resource engineers often encounter challenges such as learning to interpret complex environmental regulations, adapting to the technical demands of hydrologic modeling software, and managing multiple project deadlines. Additionally, they may need to quickly develop strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including senior engineers, planners, and regulatory agencies. These experiences provide valuable opportunities for professional growth and help new engineers build a solid foundation in the field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Water Resource Engineer vs Water Resources Technician?

AspectEntry Level Water Resource EngineerWater Resources Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Civil, Environmental Engineering or related field; Engineer-in-Training (EIT) preferredAssociate's degree or technical certification in water systems or environmental technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, analysis, project planning; office and fieldworkField data collection, equipment maintenance, site inspections
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, government agencies, consulting companiesMunicipal water departments, environmental agencies, contractors

While both roles support water resource management, Entry Level Water Resource Engineers focus on designing and analyzing water systems, requiring a bachelor's degree and engineering credentials. Water Resources Technicians primarily handle field data collection and equipment, often with technical certifications. The engineer role involves more planning and analysis, whereas technicians focus on operational tasks.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Water Resource Engineer jobs in Oregon?

For Entry Level Water Resource Engineer jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Water Resource Engineer jobs in Oregon look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Water Resource Engineer jobs in Oregon are:

What cities in Oregon are hiring for Entry Level Water Resource Engineer jobs?

Cities in Oregon with the most Entry Level Water Resource Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Water Resource Engineer job openings in Oregon as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,272 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Early-Career Water Resources Engineer

Portland, OR • On-site

Geosyntec Consultants
Environmental Quality Programs Administration • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Geosyntec Consultantsexternal

$83K - $114K/yr

Other

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Early-Career Water Resources Engineer

Location: US-OR-Portland

Job ID: 2026-4833

Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?

Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for a Early-Career Water Resources Engineer to join our Portland, Oregon office. In this role, you will apply your academic knowledge and practical experience to real-world surface water and stormwater challenges, including the development and application of models and decision support tools to solve complex problems for municipalities, ports, industrial facilities, and water management agencies. You will support projects related to stormwater and surface water management, regulatory compliance, engineering planning, and design while learning the business skills needed for a successful consulting career and growing into a project manager and client-facing professional.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.

We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.

To Learn More Visit: http://www.geosyntec.com/careers/.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
  • Perform and support hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) and water quality analyses for watersheds and urban drainage systems, including input data preparation, model setup, documentation, and interpretation of results.
  • Support planning and design of stormwater and water resources projects, including drainage improvements, green infrastructure, water quality treatment BMPs, erosion and sediment control, habitat restoration, and related environmental infrastructure.
  • Support studies of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, including data analysis, modeling, and management recommendations related to sediment transport, temperature, water quality, and water supply.
  • Apply data-driven methods, such as Python-based workflows, GIS analysis, automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning concepts, where appropriate, to support environmental data analysis, model preparation, infrastructure planning, and decision support tool development. Support maintenance and enhancements of existing decisions support tools, dashboards, and other data systems.
  • Support water quality and hydrologic monitoring of stormwater systems, streams, lakes, and rivers, including field work, instrumentation, and data analysis.
  • Perform analysis of permit requirements stemming from CWA, SDWA, and CERCLA/RCRA to support compliance strategies.
  • Prepare technical documents, exhibits, figures, maps, tables, and calculation packages to support project deliverables.
  • Conduct field inspections, storm drain and drainage system assessments, stormwater sampling, and site reconnaissance to document facility conditions, pollutant sources, monitoring locations, and stormwater flow paths.
  • Support industrial stormwater permit compliance projects, including preparation and updates to Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), site maps, drainage figures, inspection forms, and best management practice (BMP) tables.
  • Contribute to applied research and technical guidance on emerging issues in water quality, stormwater management, and watershed management.
  • Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.
Education and Licensure
  • Bachelor's degree in environmental or civil engineering or a similar field. (required)
  • Advanced degree in environmental or civil engineering, with emphasis in water resources or a closely related discipline. (preferred)
  • Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification. (preferred)
  • Ability to obtain P.E. (Professional Engineer) registration in Oregon, if applicable, within three years of employment. (preferred)
Skills, Experience and Qualifications
  • At least 2 years of related experience in environmental engineering, civil engineering, water resources, stormwater compliance, environmental monitoring, or a related field; internship, co-op, academic project, or field experience will be considered' or equivalent combination of education and experience. (preferred)
  • Exceptional interpersonal communication, organizational, technical writing, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. (required)
  • Interest in surface water and stormwater modeling, BMP implementation, industrial stormwater compliance, and environmental regulatory support.
  • Familiarity with stormwater sampling, field inspections, site mapping, drainage systems, stormwater conveyance, and pollutant source identification. (preferred)
  • Familiarity with stormwater management concepts, hydrology, hydraulics, grading, erosion and sediment control, stormwater treatment systems, and Low Impact Development (LID) strategies. (preferred)
  • Experience or coursework applying technical software and analytical tools to support stormwater, water resources, and environmental design projects. (preferred)
  • Technical experience with surface water, stormwater, hydrologic, hydraulic, and/or hydrodynamic modeling software, such as EPA-SWMM, WWHM, InfoWorks ICM, HSPF, LSPC, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, CE-QUAL-W2, and/or EFDC. (preferred)
  • Technical experience with spatial analysis and design software, such as ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or Google Earth Engine. (preferred)
  • Experience with programming, data analytics, and/or information management tools, such as Python, R, SQL, Microsoft Excel, data visualization tools, or statistical software. (preferred)
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to organize analytical data, laboratory reports, field forms, chain-of-custody documentation, monitoring results, and regulatory submittals. (required)
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced consulting environment by managing multiple assignments, meeting deadlines, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and supporting internal and external clients. (required)
  • Willingness to perform regular field work, including stormwater sampling during qualifying storm events, facility inspections, and occasional overnight travel. (required)
  • Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing may be required.
  • Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)

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